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So some of you remember about a month ago I started the PresbyMEME 5 and with surprising aplomb it kind of took off. So . . . with no other basis other than what I thought was funny, thoughtful or unique here are some of the highlights.

What is your earliest memory of being distinctly Presbyterian?

from Chris BrownWhen I was 8, my mom’s next door neighbors were very active Baptists.
I had a crush on the girl who lived next door, so I tried to talk her
into coming to the Presbyterian church sometime. She declined.

On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend LESS energy and time?

from More Cows than PeopleI’m not sure that I think we should spend LESS energy and time on
any particular issue or question, but I do think we should spend a
different quality of energy or time on most issues and questions. I
think we should spend LESS energy and time drawing lines in the sand
and fostering distrust among brothers and sisters in Christ. I think we
should spend LESS energy and time on tired debates in which no one
involved is actually listening because they have their lines rehearsed
and have no intention of changing their minds. I think we should spent
LESS energy and time pointing fingers and calling names.

On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend MORE energy and time?

from Jessica PatchettPublic witness. Presbyterians have a long history of stepping out and
making public confessions of faith and comments into political and
social life. I understand that the denomination will continue to be
stuck in muck if it tries to come up with a denominational “stance” on
every issue in American and global public life. But, the church should
spend more time teaching one another about the denomination’s rich
history in public life, and equipping one another to make public
statements of faith about both the “sacred and the profane”. Ongoing
war, increasing class disparity, and a housing crisis, among many other
things, are too pressing for us to live in ignorance or in fear of what
might happen if we do say something.

If you could have the PC(USA) focus on one passage of scripture for a entire year, what would it be?

from Ruth EverhartMatthew 6:25-34, “Do not worry about your life,” since anxiety is a number one affliction of our denomination.

If the PC(USA) were an animal what would it be and why?

from Will JacksonRather than an animal, I have always thought of the PCUSA being more like an old IROC-Z Camaro
I once had (prior to marriage and kids). It was a beautiful piece of
machinery that had the capability of working like a marvel, except that
it always had something wrong with it. Most of the time, the injection
system needed tweeking,
or the electrical system had a loose connection somewhere, or the
computer was acting up. It took a lot of time and work, but when
everything was working together, it could cruise at 90 miles an hour
with only the slightest effort. We Presbyterians are sort of like this.
We spend a lot time working on ourselves, but every now and then we get
in sync. In those times we become a marvel of mission that brings great
glory to God.

Extra Credit: Jesus shows up at General Assembly this year, what does he say to the Presbyterian Church (USA)?

from Brian MerrittI know that Jesus would say something quite profound and moving. Yet, I
am positive that we would all be completely confused and bewildered
because he would be speaking in Aramaic. Some of us would call him out
of order because he was not on the docket and we were talking about the
approval of next years budget.

It is quite an honor. I would like to thank all the little people. You like me, you really, really like me! (tears inserted here)
btw It was great seeing you at New York Avenue PC. I wish you well on the rest of your journeys.

Bruce Reyes-Chow

One of those “consultant” types who spends his time, blogging, teaching, speaking and writing. He also happens to be a Presbyterian Teaching Elder, father to three daughters, smug San Franciscan and FANatic of the Oakland Athletics Baseball club. Thanks for reading.